Maternal Health Voter Guide Has Launched for 2026
New digital tools help voters track candidate stances on maternal health ahead of the 2026 elections.
Updated on Sept. 24, 2026 in Pregnancy
Live Poll
Should maternal health statistics influence how you evaluate political candidates in your state?
Chamber of Mothers and Healthy Moms, Healthy Babies America have released a digital voter guide to map maternal mortality rates and track candidate records. The tool aims to elevate maternal health as a central issue for voters as the country faces high rates of pregnancy-related deaths.
Why it matters
With 87% of pregnancy-related deaths estimated to be preventable, the guide seeks to hold policymakers accountable for improving postpartum care and health outcomes. This initiative addresses the high rate of maternal mortality in the United States, where two-thirds of deaths occur in the year following birth.
Public health data from the CDC indicates that 87% of pregnancy-related deaths are preventable, though 40% of new mothers currently lack necessary postpartum follow-up. While mortality rates vary significantly by race, these figures underscore the preventable nature of the current maternal death rate.
The players
Chamber of Mothers
An advocacy organization focused on supporting the health and financial security of mothers through policy and community.
Healthy Moms, Healthy Babies America
A health advocacy group founded in May 2026 to reduce the U.S. maternal death rate by half within five years.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
The federal agency responsible for tracking national health statistics, including maternal mortality and preventability estimates.
The details
The interactive voter guide allows users to view maternal mortality data by selecting their state on a map. By aggregating candidate profiles and records, the tool enables voters to assess which political figures are addressing the disparities in outcomes for Black women, who are three times more likely to die from pregnancy-related causes than white women. Indigenous women also face significantly higher risks, being twice as likely to die compared to white peers.
Timeline
September 24, 2026: The Vote Like a Mother voter guide officially launched.
2026: Gubernatorial elections are scheduled in 39 states.
Health Landscape
This initiative shifts clinical mortality data into the political sphere to drive policy change. It follows the established trend of using public health metrics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to hold legislative bodies accountable for maternal outcomes.
Residents can visit the guide to review maternal health data in their state and check their own voter registration status by texting MOTHER to 26797. If you are pregnant or recently gave birth, discuss the importance of postpartum follow-up care with your doctor.
The takeaway
Maternal health remains a critical public health concern with high rates of preventable death. Voters can hold candidates accountable by reviewing their policy records on the guide and ensuring they are registered to vote before the 2026 elections.
Further reading
For broader information on maternal wellness and health policy, visit the Pregnancy section.
More information
View the Maternal health voter guide tool for state-specific mortality and candidate data.
Live Poll
Should maternal health statistics influence how you evaluate political candidates in your state?
